Is C7 driving experience light years ahead of C6?
03-04-2014, 06:10 PM
#21
Le Mans Master
Coming from a '12 GS 'vert to a '14 Z51 'vert. Both manual transmissions.
-razor sharp Steering - Steering is more precise, but not "light years"
-Linear Manual Shifter - No difference, imho. In fact, 4-5 upshift and 7-5 downshift took a little getting used to.
-Rock solid Chassis - Stiffer, but not "light years"
-Tactile feel of interior - Better, but not "light years".
-Smiles per Miles - Not much difference, imho.
Long trip seat comfort - Yes, light years better
Low end torque - Definitely light years better. With LS3, engine was pretty much dead on the highway in 6th gear. Had to downshift to 5th, or 4th for decent acceleration. With LT1, there's massive amounts of low end torque. Even is 7th gear, pickup from 75mph is OK without downshifting.
I know some members aren't going to like this post. But these are my personal opinions. And overall, I'm delighted with the car. Wouldn't go back in a heartbeat.
-razor sharp Steering - Steering is more precise, but not "light years"
-Linear Manual Shifter - No difference, imho. In fact, 4-5 upshift and 7-5 downshift took a little getting used to.
-Rock solid Chassis - Stiffer, but not "light years"
-Tactile feel of interior - Better, but not "light years".
-Smiles per Miles - Not much difference, imho.
Long trip seat comfort - Yes, light years better
Low end torque - Definitely light years better. With LS3, engine was pretty much dead on the highway in 6th gear. Had to downshift to 5th, or 4th for decent acceleration. With LT1, there's massive amounts of low end torque. Even is 7th gear, pickup from 75mph is OK without downshifting.
I know some members aren't going to like this post. But these are my personal opinions. And overall, I'm delighted with the car. Wouldn't go back in a heartbeat.
03-04-2014, 06:16 PM
#23
Melting Slicks
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NCM Sinkhole Donor
Interested if veteran Vette owners feel the C7 is really "light years" ahead of the C6?
Specific examples would be great:
ie,
-razor sharp Steering,
-Linear Manual Shifter,
-Rock solid Chassis,
-Tactile feel of interior
-Smiles per Miles
Given the C6 is a 10+yr old design none of above is surprising...as a quantum leap has occured in all aspects of industrial and automotive engineering.
Less interested in "arent perfect" issues that dont meet expectation as a base MSRP $51,000 ceiling is in place and certain trade-offs happen and are not as important to enthusiasts (ie, a la Ford using Focus/Explorer parts in Ford GT to keep MSRP at $159K!)
Specific examples would be great:
ie,
-razor sharp Steering,
-Linear Manual Shifter,
-Rock solid Chassis,
-Tactile feel of interior
-Smiles per Miles
Given the C6 is a 10+yr old design none of above is surprising...as a quantum leap has occured in all aspects of industrial and automotive engineering.
Less interested in "arent perfect" issues that dont meet expectation as a base MSRP $51,000 ceiling is in place and certain trade-offs happen and are not as important to enthusiasts (ie, a la Ford using Focus/Explorer parts in Ford GT to keep MSRP at $159K!)
It's a steal...still cannot believe how inexpensive it is.
Thanks for insight
03-04-2014, 06:35 PM
#24
Instructor
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c7 vs c5
Can't comment on a C6 comparison but know it is light years ahead of my C5 on all counts. I bought the C5 new in 2001 and it was an awesome car and I loved the experience but after driving the C7 I will pass the C5 to a new owner.
03-04-2014, 07:01 PM
#25
Light years? Absolutely. I don't know why anyone would embarrass themselves by driving and be seen in an obsolete, outdated C6. You may as well be driving a '52 Hudson. In fact, the C7 is so superior in every area, I wouldn't be surprised if GM stays with the C7 generation for the next 20 years. I am still wondering why GM wants to keep any C6 models in their museum now that the C7 has arrived. No one wants to see those cars. Anyone driving a C7 has finally "arrived".
undt al pravous gens deestaroided. Zeik hial.
03-04-2014, 07:28 PM
#26
Drifting
Razor sharp steering--yes it's better..
Manual shifter--it is great I love the way it feels very precise and shifts smooth and easy...
The chassis is very stiff and handles very very good, better than C6...
Interior--much improved all the way around, yes it has a more confined feeling but not claustrophobic...
Smiles per mile--both cars provide this but I have to give the edge to C7 for; low end torque, pandora, weather, heads up display, so many choices for the dash lay out...
Just my opinion...
Manual shifter--it is great I love the way it feels very precise and shifts smooth and easy...
The chassis is very stiff and handles very very good, better than C6...
Interior--much improved all the way around, yes it has a more confined feeling but not claustrophobic...
Smiles per mile--both cars provide this but I have to give the edge to C7 for; low end torque, pandora, weather, heads up display, so many choices for the dash lay out...
Just my opinion...
03-04-2014, 07:48 PM
#27
Light years? Absolutely. I don't know why anyone would embarrass themselves by driving and be seen in an obsolete, outdated C6. You may as well be driving a '52 Hudson. In fact, the C7 is so superior in every area, I wouldn't be surprised if GM stays with the C7 generation for the next 20 years. I am still wondering why GM wants to keep any C6 models in their museum now that the C7 has arrived. No one wants to see those cars. Anyone driving a C7 has finally "arrived".
03-04-2014, 07:59 PM
#28
Team Owner
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St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13, '16-'17-'18
03-04-2014, 10:06 PM
#30
Le Mans Master
Light years? Absolutely. I don't know why anyone would embarrass themselves by driving and be seen in an obsolete, outdated C6. You may as well be driving a '52 Hudson. In fact, the C7 is so superior in every area, I wouldn't be surprised if GM stays with the C7 generation for the next 20 years. I am still wondering why GM wants to keep any C6 models in their museum now that the C7 has arrived. No one wants to see those cars. Anyone driving a C7 has finally "arrived".
03-05-2014, 08:09 AM
#31
Drifting
03-05-2014, 08:45 AM
#32
Remember the most important fact on road courses is exit speed. A set of headers and cams and this car should run past the Z06.
03-05-2014, 08:52 AM
#33
AIR FORCE VETERAN
I have owned many Corvettes over the years. Each generation was better then the one before. However they are all Corvettes and very cool. I totally respect the c5 and the C6 cars. Aggressive looking with great rides. My C5 was light years ahead of the C4. The C6 even better. If I could not afford a C7 I would happily drive a C6.
03-05-2014, 09:03 AM
#34
Melting Slicks
Last edited by BRCC; 03-05-2014 at 09:07 AM.
03-05-2014, 09:38 AM
#35
Le Mans Master
03-05-2014, 11:12 AM
#36
Le Mans Master
Liked my buddys c7 convertible hated the competition seat bottoms hurt my butt on the sides no I'm not fat neither is he and he didn't care for the seat back he's 40 I'm 70. The standard seats I've set in are good to go.
z51vett
Doug
z51vett
Doug
03-05-2014, 11:27 AM
#37
Melting Slicks
I have owned many Corvettes over the years. Each generation was better then the one before. However they are all Corvettes and very cool. I totally respect the c5 and the C6 cars. Aggressive looking with great rides. My C5 was light years ahead of the C4. The C6 even better. If I could not afford a C7 I would happily drive a C6.
C4 to C5 was 'light years' ahead.
C5-C6-C7 is just an evolution. Thats not really a bad thing, since 'Corvette people' will be familiar as soon as they slide into a C7. Heck even the road noise hasnt changed much so I'm right at home on our concrete highways in the C7.
Yes the LT1 has more torque and you can feel it, not that the LS3 was really short on it. If you look at the LS3 C6 fastest 1/4 mile list except for one C7 they arent that far apart. Time will tell on the actual performance gap when more people take their C7s to various dragstrips.
After 1000 miles with the C7 in a couple weeks I like it. Mine is a daily driver so its just a base 2LT auto car and IMO its the best driver quality Corvette to date - if they figure out the auto climate control
03-05-2014, 12:48 PM
#38
I'm new to the forum and certainly don't want to ruffle any feathers but... I just got my new Laguna Blue C7 last Friday and I'll say it's no Z-06. I had a 2007 Z-06 and it was the most amazing street car I've ever driven period! The point is I'm reading guys I here saying yeah but put a supercharger on a C7 and it'll beat a Z-06, yeah, well, put a supercharger on a Z-06 and it'll compete with the worlds elite super cars! Folks these are street cars meant to be driven and weather or not you track your car or not there really isn't much comparison in my opinion. I know what the "experts" say but if you've never truly pushed a Z-06 in street form it's pretty hard to believe it's capabilities. I love my new Vette but it doesn't have the raw power of the LS7. The only thing I like about it better is the exhaust note.
03-05-2014, 01:16 PM
#39
Instructor
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This is my 3rd vet and by far the best one yet. More comfort, incredible acceleration, better handling, best stock sounding exhaust I ever heard in both modes, best feature set, most stylish inside and out, most fuel efficient, and nonstop compliments about the car to an annoying degree.
2 bad things: The whole Favorites architecture is absolutely stupid and the climate control has bugs and has no OFF (and I'm not talking about the FAN off switch).
2 bad things: The whole Favorites architecture is absolutely stupid and the climate control has bugs and has no OFF (and I'm not talking about the FAN off switch).